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RBS Six Nations interview with Paddy Wallace

Andrew Carey spoke to Ulster and Ireland centre Paddy Wallace on his inclusion in the starting 15

WITH a boyish zeal and excitement, Paddy Wallace joined a small cluster of the press gang to speak on his inclusion in Declan Kidney’s side to face France in the RBS Six nations opening game in Croke Park this Saturday (5pm).
Boyish because this was a player who had just been given the keys to the sweet shop. That, or maybe it was because Declan Kidney had just given the Belfast born utility back his first competitive start in Croke Park, but more importantly had also given Wallace his first starting cap in this his third fruitless Six nations campaign.
A milestone for the Ulster player who’s obvious delight was written all over his face,
“Well I know that my family will be delighted as am I. This is great for me and my career as I felt I have had a good run of form and I’ve been rewarded for that”.
A good run of form that Wallace attributes to partnering Darren Cave in the centre at Ulster and to the work of their backs coach at the province, Paul Steinmetz.
But for this 29-year-old utility back, the start means more than statistics or milestones, it represents a change in form and a recognition that the senior national rugby side may very well be under new management, but it is clearly under a new direction.